Comments on: Besen: Wingnuts strike again

By: Elloreigh

Elloreigh — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Alex said: “The importance of a march like this isn’t that it can change things in itself, but it shows that we are here, and it shows what we are willing to do.”

Which is important why exactly? They know we’re here. Knowing one of us personally is a lot more likely to have a positive impact on someone’s views towards LGBTs than the images they see of total strangers marching, partying, etc. Rest assured, the media will focus on the most sensational people they can locate, not on the issues. It’s for that very reason that the Pride parades have become such a lightening rod.

That said, it’s become clear that even knowing us personally has little to no impact on many who hold anti-gay beliefs – because beliefs are unfortunately a stronger influence than facts. They have no problem at all saying they ‘love’ us while doing the most hateful things they can to interfere in our lives. A march will have little impact on that situation.

As for what we are willing to do, we should be applying that will toward the things that make a difference and promote change, not on mere visibility.

By: Burton Bagby-Grose

Burton Bagby-Grose — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:52:58 +0000

Wayne – using terms like “wingnuts” just drags you down in the mud with those you criticize.
We must continue to foster civility in order to maintain productive discussion and interaction.
I know you can do better.

By: Wayne M.

Wayne M. — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:51:16 +0000

While it is a fact that not everyone can be in Washington for the march, it is a fact that everyone can do some kind of local and/or personal action for LGBT equality on that weekend. For those in the poll who say they wish they could be there but cannot go, then do something from your home. IF WE DON’T ACT, THEN WE CAN KISS MARRIAGE EQUALITY, HATE CRIMES LAWS, AND LAWS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE AND ACCOMMODATION GOOD BYE! We may even have to kiss ending DADT good-bye. So get off your duff and do something!

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:00:58 +0000

The importance of a march like this isn’t that it can change things in itself, but it shows that we are here, and it shows what we are willing to do. I can’t make it, I’m a poor busy college kid, but everyone who can, should, and everyone who thinks it’s a waste of time, think about this. In the age of the internet where we can all sit back and say whatever we want in the anonymity of the internet, and watch everything we want on tv, just getting out of the house to go to something like this makes a huge statement. The republicans do so much damage because they can organize and act in a united way. They can get people out there to get in the way of everything. Bill Mar said it at the end of one of his shows, the republicans go out to shout at senators in town hall meetings, we sit in our homes and shout at the tv. Which one seems more effective? Staying close to home and fighting personal battles in lieu of larger fights will not get us anywhere. This IS a fight, and fights take sacrifice.

By: cdnair

cdnair — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:51:43 +0000

lol, americans. I’m sorry, and I do treat people as individuals, I really do, but people like this- entire conventions like this make it really hard to take anyone seriously. History books are going to look like an utter joke “Look how far we’ve come, yet people still talk about ‘teh bad pr0nz’ and ‘teh turnin to thuh lawd fo fixin teh ghey’”

Unreal.

By: Elloreigh

Elloreigh — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:40:42 +0000

I was also at the 1993 March. While I’ll agree it was a moving personal experience, I wouldn’t describe it as life-altering, nor would I say that it translated into positive, lasting change for the LGBT communities. We still ended up with the federal DOMA and DADT shortly thereafter.

In my opinion this March is a waste of resources, and more likely to be used against us than to produce positive, lasting change for our communities. Much like the 1993 March.

A national march on Washington D.C. is highly unlikely to change things in a state like Michigan, which has no anti-discrimination law protecting LGBT folk, and which has banned ANY form of civil recognition for our marriages.

If you want to promote change, do it one person at a time, where you live. A big party in Washington D.C. isn’t the way to accomplish it, even if it is being organized by Cleve Jones.

By: JerryM70

JerryM70 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:11:37 +0000

In 1963 Asa Philip Randolph had an idea for a march on Washington to promote jobs and freedom for black people. Interestingly enough it was Bayard Rustin an openly gay black man who was responsible for organizing that march. Martin Luther King Jr. was scheduled to address the crowd. “I have a dream…” wasn’t the core of the march’s goal, but it changed the way America works and it changed it for the better.

No one should be allowed to say that a peaceful march is of no value. No one has the ability to foretell what can result from a gathering.

I don’t have to worry about going to the march, I live here in the city so I’ll be there. A fat old white guy who gasps ans wheezes when he has to walk very far, but I’ll be there.

By: fwilms

fwilms — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:00:29 +0000

It’s always a good time to fight for our equal rights. Let’s MARCH!!

By: Draigh Lunara

Draigh Lunara — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:06:44 +0000

Of course the Right-Wing Lunatic Fringe is talking the loudest and craziest. I wonder if you had a list of the people who attended that weekend are also on the list of the march in DC that occured a short time ago. These two groups are becoming increasingly harder to separate and distinguish from each other.
May Goddess Bless Those Who Learn and Grow!
Blessed Be!
Rev. Draigh Lunara

By: Lenworth Poyser

Lenworth Poyser — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:05:51 +0000

Who are these gay organizations who aren’t going to support the march? They need to support us just because were gay and the march is something positive, end of discussion. There’s no way this march is going to make matters worse. Marches always empower the groups of people who participate in them, and teach valuable lessons to those observing.